Anyone who owns horses knows that fly are a problem.
Even barns and horse owners with the tidiest stables, that haul their
manure away immediately and have nice dry sandy lots have to deal with
fly issues. Many horse owners attempt to control their fly population by
using a variety of methods including fly sprays, fly strips, bug
zappers, fly misters that mist the stabling area with fly sprays, and a
variety of wraps and collars that have been soaked in fly spray.
Mustangs will search for mud holes that they use to cover themselves in
mud to discourage fly bites. In an effort to keep their horses bite free
some owners try to keep them blanketed from head to toe, but hot summer
temperatures often force them to removed the blankets during the hottest
hours of the afternoon.
Several horse owners use fly sheets as a form of fly control.
The material used to make fly sheets is the same type of finely woven
mesh material used
to make vinyl lawn furniture. The same type that has been used since the
1960's. Fly sheets are typically constructed of polyvinyl that is
resistant to UV rays and comes in a wide variety of colors (including
blaze orange for horse owner that live in the middle of a hunting
region.) The polyvinyl is normally designed in a loose weave pattern.
Polyvinyl is damage caused by dirt and oils.
Horse owners have two different types of fly sheets to select from, a
scrim sheet and a turnout fly sheet.
Fly sheets that are designed for turnout purposes are typically made of
a stiffer lightweight material then scrim fly sheets. When outfitting a
horse with a turnout fly sheet owners should make sure that the sheet
fits well enough that the breast straps, surcingles, and leg straps do
not have to be tightened excessively which can impede the horses
movement. Owners should not cross the leg straps of a turnout fly sheet.
Leaving the leg straps uncrossed will allow the horse to flap his under
his belly without ensnaring it in the straps. When purchasing a fly
sheet for turnout owners should look for one made of a lightweight mesh
material that is easy to clean. In the event of severe stains (manure
and grass are the most common) blanket owners can try using a stiff,
sudsy brush directly on the stain. this works especially well if the
blanket is laid on a concrete surface. A fly sheet made with polyvinyl
will typically dry within thirty minutes of being washed. Machine
washable is ideal. It is not a bad idea to purchase two turnout fly
sheets, that way if one gets dirty or tears owners have another one
available.
A well crafted turnout fly sheet will be designed to tear if the horse
gets it caught on something but should be designed in such a way that
the damage will be minimal.
Most horse owners prefer elastic leg straps on their turnout fly sheets
over the nylons variety.
Scrim flysheets are designed to be used while the horse is in a stall,
typically after a thorough grooming has removed all the naturally
protective dirt and oils from the horses coat. Scrim fly sheets are
designed to loosely cover the horses body. because of the loose fit
horses should never be turned loose while clothed in a scrim fly sheet.
Many owners also use scrim fly sheets as an anti-sweat blanket.
The mesh design of fly sheets will not prevent the horse from becoming
dirty and dusty like solid blankets.
A fly sheet should help wick moisture away from the horses body which
will keep them cool and comfortable throughout the hot summer months.
